E 300 ] 



the new method fucceisfully, and gave him fomc 

 flax prepared by that method, which he put into the 

 hands of Mr. Arbuthnot, fecretary to the truftecs 

 for fiilieries and manufaiftures at Edinburgh." 



Reflexions relative to the lyatemig of Flax hy a new 

 Method^ Jo as to jhorten labour y frolahly ico add to 

 the ftrengfh of the FlaXy and give it a much finer 

 colour y which would render the of er alien of bleach- 

 ing Jafer and lefs tedious. 



Though the .following reflexions have for their 

 objed an improvement in the very elTentidl article 

 of watering of flax, yet I muft advertife my reader, 

 that they are only theory, and muft depend entirely 

 for their truth and juftiflcation upon future ex- 

 periments to be fkilfuUy and judicioufly made. 

 Should repeated trials prove the advantage of the 

 new method propofed, we may venture to affirm, 

 that it would be an improvement that would in- 

 creafe the national income in the agricultural branch 

 many thoufand pounds annually; v/ould add greatly 

 to the perfedion of the linen manufa6lure; and 

 over and above, would fupprefs a very difag^eeable 

 nuifance, which the prefent method of watering flax 

 occafions during fome part of the fummer in every 



flax-growing country. 



The 



